The post-holder will be expected to bid for and/or support new research projects to secure research income and pursue opportunities to develop new collaborations with external researchers including universities and with student research projects (subject to funding success). The role will have project management, delivery and budgetary responsibilities.

The Post Will Contribute To Developing Research To Better Understand Mitigation Of Climate Change Risks. The Post-holder Will Work With Colleagues Across The Climate Change Research Group In Forest Research And Project Partners To:

• better understand and further analyse the risks (focus on drought and wildfire) from the changing climate on trees, woodlands and forests
• contribute to the continuing development of decision support tools and model integration framework delivery relating to the carbon sequestration and climate resilience of forests and woodland in a changing climate
• better manage risks in support of optimal forest management decision making.

The post-holder will be responsible for research, project management, science deliverables, and writing outputs (in a range of styles). These include research proposals, journal papers, internal and external reports and case studies. The role will include communications, knowledge exchange and research into climate change mitigation. The post-holder will encourage better awareness of and response to guidance changes in forestry practice and management to address future climate threats, land use and its change.

Key Work Areas

• Work with colleagues and project partners to further understand the relationships with climate change risks, adaptation measures, analysis methods and decision support tools. These will be relating to the carbon mitigation potential and resilience of forest and woodland in a changing climate.
• Analyse project results and develop ideas, plans and initial findings with collaborators, funders, and other experts.
• Manage work programmes across several projects, including carrying out work-package budget responsibilities, task prioritisation and progress reporting and monitoring.
• Lead and manage defined projects and areas of work in collaboration with project partners and funders, such as universities, government bodies and conservation charities.
• Contribute to external funding applications.
• Use R programming to carry out data analysis independently and as part of a team, with strong quality assurance approaches.
• Disseminate findings and publicise research activity by summarising and presenting work via scientific publications, conferences, workshops, and seminars, as opportunities arise.
• Build a strong network of connections with customers and collaborators within and outside the UK.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Postgraduate degree in data, environmental, engineering, or mathematical science
• Proficient R user
• Good working knowledge and proven track record of mechanistic modelling
• Experience of climate responsive forest modelling, climate change mitigation from trees, forest and woodland
• Experience of engagement on climate change mitigation at the science, policy, practice interface
• Experience of applying Data Quality Assurance standards
• Competent user of large datasets, both vector and raster data
• Excellent organisational, data handling and record keeping skills
• Demonstrable relevant experience in modelling in research environment
• Track record of peer review publication and contribution to bid development

Occasional travel might be required on an ad-hoc basis with overnight stays up to 10 days a year.

Desirable Criteria:

• The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates.
• Demonstrable experience of working with climate projections or other probabilistic ‘big data’
• Direct experience in forest science would be advantageous
• Experience of applying Data Quality Assurance standards
• Experience of engaging in knowledge exchange with impact

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Salary and Benefits

Alongside your salary of £40,388, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £11,700 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Your Career

• Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
• access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settings

Your Work/Life Balance

• flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
• A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays

Your Wellbeing

• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment
• A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
• We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
• Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time

Your Benefits

• a highly competitive Civil Service Pension of 28.97% of your salary
• an employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shops
• Cycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans
• Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging ports
• With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.

Any move to Forest Research from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary